We offer Photo Gifts including: Photo Mugs, Photo Mouse-pads, Photo
T-Shirts, Photo Plates, Photo Ornaments and other dye sublimation products.
We also offer Photo to Real Artist Canvas.
What is Dye-sublimation?
Dye-Sublimation or Sublimation for short is the process of ink
changing into a gas or vapor, without first passing through the intermediary
liquid state. An example of this process which most recognize is "dry ice." In
the printing world, the term sublimation is used to describe heat-activated inks
that change into a gas when heated and have the ability to bond with ceramic,
polyester, acrylic and other surfaces.
How Sublimation works? Using an inkjet printer and special dye-sublimation inks
the desired image is printed to special sublimation transfer paper. The
transfer paper is then placed on the sublimation-ready product using various
pressure devices. The sublimation product with the attached transfer paper is
then placed in an oven or on a heat press. The heating process activates the
ink in the transfer paper and changes the ink into a gas. At the same time, the
heat causes a molecular change (greater porosity) in the surface of the
sublimation product. The sublimation product then absorbs the gas resulting in
a transfer of the image on the transfer paper to the sublimation product. A
pressure of approximately 40lbs. per square inch is needed to insure that the
gaseous vapor is forced inside the surface of the sublimation product. When the
sublimation product is removed from heat its polymer surface cools and regains
its original qualities with the ink gases trapped within the surface of the
product. Much like a tattoo, the image is below the surface, protected from the
elements that could cause a decal to scratch, fade or peel.
Benefits of Sublimation? Any digital image (including photographs) can be
printed and be ready to sublimate in a matter of minutes as opposed to silk
screening which requires a setup process to create the screen. The sublimation
process is perfect for projects numbering from one to thousands of custom
pieces. Although, the cost benefits of sublimation are probably better suited
for smaller quantity (1-100) custom projects, the resulting product is superior
to silk screening. The full color benefits of sublimation and the finish offer
spectacular results. Due to ink impregnating the sublimation product polymer
surface there is much greater durability than silk screening. Sublimated images
are extremely washable, scratch resistant and dishwasher safe because the image
is protected within the surface. Sublimation can be applied to floor tiles and
withstand daily foot traffic.
What can be sublimated? There are hundreds of blanks that can be sublimated. We
inventory many blanks, but have access to a wide variety of other sublimation
products. Please see our Photo-Gift pricing for our current products, if
you do not see what you want on our price list, please call us for other
sublimation options.
What is a Giclee (zhee-CLAY)?
A Giclee is a high-resolution printing process on a special large format
printer. Giclees are produced from digital scans or photographs. Giclees can be
printed on a number of media types, from canvas, watercolor paper, vinyl, metals
to transparent acetates. Giclees are superior to lithography, the colors are
brighter and last longer. Giclee width is limited to the print width of our
printers (up to 42"), but the length of the print can be almost 60".
Giclees use inkjet technology, but are far more sophisticated than your desktop
printer. The process employs at least six colors compared to only 3 colors in
most consumer inkjet printers. The inks are very specialized and some are
quartanted to last up to 70 years.
Giclees are often confused with oil paintings from a distance and are perfect
for office art or promotions. Giclees can be produced economically in limited
quantities. Giclees can stretched and mounted on wood stretcher bars and hung
like original art or framed.
Photo-Gift Pricing
Or Call 407-370-2800 for Customer Service and Ordering.
